Core Performance Standards

Barry University School of Social Work is leading the way in setting ethical standards for professional growth and development.

The Core Performance Standards (CPS) adopted by the School of Social Work provides faculty and students with a set of essential standards for assessing professional conduct. Grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics and core values and mission of social work, the Core Performance Standards provide ethical principles that guide social work practice and on which the public can hold social work practitioners, scholars, and educators accountable. These principles depict the scope of responsibility to which all students obligate him/herself from the time of entry in the Barry University-School of Social Work.

The Core Performance Standards help students in Barry University School of Social Work to recognize their professional responsibilities and criteria for professional conduct. In order to remain in good standing in the School of Social Work, all students, as stated in the NASW Code, ".must not allow their own personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties to interfere with their professional judgment and performance or to jeopardize the best interests of people for whom they have a professional responsibility." (p.23, NASW Code of Ethics.)

The Core Performance Standards encompass the following skill areas:

Professional Ethics

Individual judgment and conduct is consistent with established laws and the values and ethics of the social work profession as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics.

Critical Thinking

Individual reasoning reflects a comprehensive analysis that distinguishes fact from inference; an individual's conclusions and assigned meanings are grounded in relevant data, information and evidence.

Task Management

Effective task/time management strategies guide all professional and academic responsibilities and activities.

Self Awareness

A commitment to the process of self-reflection and self-critique assuming full responsibility to protect peers, colleagues, research participants, clients and others from the adverse consequences of personal performance problems and behaviors.

Professional Relationships

All professional interactions reflect respect, integrity, honesty, cooperation and collaboration as well as a clear understanding of professional role, authority and appropriate boundaries.